returning his caresses but sparingly. Looking straight into her
eyes, he used to say:

"Natalya! Tell me--why are you so sad? Do you feel lonesome here
with me?"

"No," she replied shortly.

"What then is it? Are you longing for your people?"

No, it's nothing."

"What are you thinking about?"

"I am not thinking."

"What then?"

"Oh, nothing!"

Once he managed to get from her a more complete answer:

"There is something confused in my heart. And also in my eyes.
And it always seems to me that all this is not real."

She waved her hand around her, pointing at the walls, the
furniture and everything. Ignat did not reflect on her words,
and, laughing, said to her:

"That's to no purpose! Everything here is genuine. All these are